The medical mayhem continues. One step forward, then do a reverse flip and half pike.
When we went up to see the skinny one this morning he looked dreadful. An attractive shade of grey, propped up in the chair beside his bed, attached to far too many bells and whistles. HOWEVER, the surgeon had been and was very, very happy with the operation. While we won't know for three months whether it has been a success, early signs are positive. Yay. About time too.
The surgeon was so happy with the operation that he decided the stents that were installed in the smaller portion's urethra yesterday could be removed. Today. Back to theatre, another general anaesthetic. Joy and bliss. We asked the smaller portion and the hospital to ring when they had a time for this next procedure.
When we went back this afternoon we had heard nothing. Neither had he. He was still (unsurprisingly) in acute discomfort. He had been taken for a walk, which was apparently very, very unpleasant. He was a better colour though.
So I trotted up to the nurses station. 'We know nothing'. 'Please find out. As soon as possible. And let your patient know (and preferably me too).' 'We will have to page the doctor.' 'Please do'. And so they did.
Needless to say the doctor hadn't responded by the time I left. The smaller portion promised to nag about it every chance he gets. I would assume that the stents are there until tomorrow. Hiss and spit.
The smaller portion rang a little while ago - very down. The stents will be removed tomorrow morning. More hisses, and more spits.
And now for the pleasant part of my day. My silly side is strongly developed. When Mistress Snark invited me to afternoon tea in her parlour, I was very pleased to accept. There is a teaser below - and I would be very happy if you would join me for afternoon tea with Mistress Snark, Jezebel and ...
Afternoon tea is a most civilized British invention – an opportunity to snack with impunity. However, in Mistress Snark’s parlor, you never know what might be floating in your tea or what those cute little sandwiches are hiding under the bread.
When we went up to see the skinny one this morning he looked dreadful. An attractive shade of grey, propped up in the chair beside his bed, attached to far too many bells and whistles. HOWEVER, the surgeon had been and was very, very happy with the operation. While we won't know for three months whether it has been a success, early signs are positive. Yay. About time too.
The surgeon was so happy with the operation that he decided the stents that were installed in the smaller portion's urethra yesterday could be removed. Today. Back to theatre, another general anaesthetic. Joy and bliss. We asked the smaller portion and the hospital to ring when they had a time for this next procedure.
When we went back this afternoon we had heard nothing. Neither had he. He was still (unsurprisingly) in acute discomfort. He had been taken for a walk, which was apparently very, very unpleasant. He was a better colour though.
So I trotted up to the nurses station. 'We know nothing'. 'Please find out. As soon as possible. And let your patient know (and preferably me too).' 'We will have to page the doctor.' 'Please do'. And so they did.
Needless to say the doctor hadn't responded by the time I left. The smaller portion promised to nag about it every chance he gets. I would assume that the stents are there until tomorrow. Hiss and spit.
The smaller portion rang a little while ago - very down. The stents will be removed tomorrow morning. More hisses, and more spits.
*********
And now for the pleasant part of my day. My silly side is strongly developed. When Mistress Snark invited me to afternoon tea in her parlour, I was very pleased to accept. There is a teaser below - and I would be very happy if you would join me for afternoon tea with Mistress Snark, Jezebel and ...
Afternoon tea is a most civilized British invention – an opportunity to snack with impunity. However, in Mistress Snark’s parlor, you never know what might be floating in your tea or what those cute little sandwiches are hiding under the bread.
Goodness me EC, really public hospitals are the pits, at the beck and call of doctors and nurses who really don't seem to give a damn. Although I am sure they do, just over worked and underpaid.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear SP is a better colour and the doctor is pleased with the operation.
Fingers crossed stents are out bright and early tomorrow morning. xxx
Kakka: Overworked, underpaid and a tad disinterested. Dragon lady (me) will be on their backs.
DeleteIt is really good that his surgeon is happy and I was very reaassured when his colour improved.
Pleased your SP (in bookmaker parlance that is the starting price!)is in better spirit.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am VERY pleased that you have a well-developed silliness.
dinahmow: Silliness and a black sense of humour have got me through some very ugly places. I am grateful to both of them.
DeleteAnd, isn't it wonderful that there are signs, albeit small, that the skinny one is improving.
Yet again, the lack of interest/care/timeliness/communication from hospitals regarding suffering patients (and carers) astounds me. Still, I'm very, very glad that the surgeon was happy.
ReplyDeleteKath Lockett: It is the communication (or lack of it) which is sending me silly (sillier) at the moment. I am worried enough, without having to chase things up at every step.
DeleteIn defence of surgeons and public hospitals, it's possible an emergency came up that prevented the promised stent removal.
ReplyDeleteBut I am glad to hear the SP is looking better and walking.
River: It is quite possible an emergency came up. But, if so, TELL US.
DeleteOne step forward, one back. You've got it right. He needs time to recover before you'll know how he really is doing. Operations are dreadfully hard on the constitution of both the one receiving it, as well as on the family. I'm glad for your frequent updates. Thank you for taking the time to do it. Now I'll saunter over to Mistress Snark's place. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. I think you'll enjoy Mistress Snark...
DeleteI so understand what you are going through with communication and miscommunication at hospitals. It's truly maddening. I am glad to hear the smaller portion is getting better.
ReplyDeleteLynn: Small steps, but hopefully this time we/they have got it right.
DeleteThanks EC for keeping us in the loop. I can feel you frustrations and I hiss and spit along with you. Hopefully tomorrow there will be an advancement on today and the SP will be in less discomfort. Even a better colour is a small step in the right direction. All the best to you both. xx
ReplyDeleteYour afternoon tea with Mistress Snark....Wow!!!!
Mimsie: Thank you. Fingers and toes crossed. Afternoon tea with Mistress Snark and Jezebel (we can never forget Jezebel) was a heap of fun.
DeleteThank you so much for joining me for tea! It's always good to laugh and blow off some steam.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear the SP's color has improved. It can be so frustrating but hang in there. Pretty soon he'll be home again and this will all be behind you. Remember to rest!
Laura Eno: I loved my afternoon tea. There is simply not enough frivolity in this world. After this session in the hospital there is a period of convalescence - and then another round. Hopefully by the middle of the year it will all be over.
DeleteSo sorry to hear your issues with SP and the hospital and his illness and EVERYTHING continues, but glad to hear there are some positive signs in his recovery. In the meantime, you are hilarious over there on Laura's blog. I laughed out loud!!! Well done to both of you.
ReplyDeleteCathy Oliffe-Webster: It was you who introduced me to Mistress Snark, and I am very, very glad you did. Laughter is always welcome.
DeleteThank goodness for silliness....it can keep you sane while all about you are losing 'theirs'. Still holding good thoughts for your SP.
ReplyDeletemybabyjohn/Delores: Please keep holding onto those good thoughts. He and we appreciate and need them.
DeleteWell, I am teased ... Mistress Snark, the name alone has me captured. But best of all I am glad to see you keeping your sense of humor up ... a great therapy for hard times. I know in nursing we had a "sick" sense of humor (according to people who may have overheard us), but it got us through many a stressful experience. Glad SP is progressing ... will feel better for him when the stents are out. Haven't heard you say anything about your SIL ... is she there helping you? Be well, EC and I will be back tomorrow to hear abour Mistress Snark ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Andrea: Afternoon tea was a delight. And humour, particularly black humour is what keeps me sane(ish). I really, really hope that the stents come out early today - I am sure he will feel better without them. Yes, his sister is here with me.
DeleteGood grief, it seems they do these things on purpose. And yet, with all the family I've had in the profession, I know there is usually a method to the madness. Not always; random things like emergencies do come up. But in many instances the things they do- like delaying a procedure- may have a good reason. Not one we want to hear, so we don't. They just carry on while we fume.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you, dear EC. So far, so good. Keep the faith. And stay silly. ;)
Austan: I don't think it is possible for me not to be silly. I am sure the hospital does have their reasons - but wish they would tell us.
DeleteI'm glad that the surgery went well, but the way patients are left suffering without getting information etc. really sucks. It is sad. I know that most hospitals are understaffed and the nurses/doctors are overworked, but still.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: If the hospital staff told patients/family more, their work load may reduce slightly. Anxiety does not a good patient make.
DeleteMost of us can relate with your frustration. It is not so different here in the US. Doctors make their rounds between 6 and 7 in the morning when the patient is usually groggy and the loved onces are not there. Getting information is not always easy.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I have in fact arrived at the hospital before six just to get information. It was greeted with any enthusiasm by hospital staff, but tough... Hopefully it won't be necessary this time.
DeleteOh I jumped over from Delores blog and I do hope you take care of yourself while dealing with your husbands illness. I do hope things get better with dealing with the hospital I know how frustrating this can be. I will be thinking good thought for you and your husband. B
ReplyDeleteButtons: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteHope that by the time you read this things will be much, much better and that color will be completely restored to the appropriate flesh-tone.
ReplyDeleteLove the Mistress Snark tease!! And of course, I immediately wanted to steal it.
Ms CrankyPants: Fingers crossed for today being better. And yes, Mistress Snark is a very, very clever woman.
DeleteDear EC, I so hope that the stents come out tomorrow morning and that when you arrive at the hospital the "skinny one's" color will be better. This has just gone on too long--months and months. And a lot of having to hiss and spit! Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: Thank you. I hope that either the stents have been removed when we arrive at the hospital this morning or that he is 'away' having them taken out.
DeleteDear EC, I went over to Mistress Snark's website and left a comment there. What an imagination you have! I bet you could come up with the best plots and characters for fantasy novels! Think about it. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: I am glad you enjoyed it - but most of the credit should go to Mistress Snark for the atmosphere and the questions she posed.
DeleteHiss and spit, repeated! If only the medical profession truly realized how patients hang on to expectations!!
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Hiss and spit is a very useful mantra at the moment. And prevents both real obscenity and violence. (For the moment.)
DeleteI sympathise with you and I hope things improve.
ReplyDeleteGreetings and hugs from London.
A Cuban in London: Thank you. All hugs gratefully received.
DeleteI'd imagine hearing the surgeon say that the surgery went very very well, would be like music to your ears.
ReplyDeleteVery very glad to hear.
Wendy aka Quillfeather: It is good to hear - but the surgeon who did (and messed up) this operation last year said the same thing. We will know in three months time when they do the next operation.
DeleteOh dear. Sorry to hear that.
DeleteWhen the going gets tough, the tough get going. Hang in there, EC...you're tough. I know! I know! It's easy for another to say that, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI do so hope positive news comes your way very soon. :)
Lee: A tough marshmallow? I also am hoping for positive moves. Lots of them.
DeleteHe's very lucky to have you advocating for him. Sending good thoughts to you both, hissing and spitting in your honor!
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: Lets all hiss and spit together. On the count of three - one, two GO...
DeleteThis is wonderful news. I take it that the stints might have been left in for how long--days, weeks? So, I guess having to wait one more day sure the heck beats the heck out of having to wait indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: When we went to see him this morning the stents are still in place. Their removal will indeed be positive - so the sooner it happens the better.
DeleteBetter color and apparent lack of complications are two good signs. I share your concern, though, for not "knowing" anything. I'd become very impatient very quickly. Hope you are taking care of yourself as well...
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: I STILL want more information. And as of this morning the stents are still there. He is very uncomfortable, and I am increasingly unhappy. And yes, I know I should look after myself better.
DeleteIt sounds both bad and good there, but I'm crossing everything I have that you get more info asap and can get some positive news. I went to your tea party, you are clearly an excellent guest to have! Mistress says you are not a writer, but a reader. I beg to differ, you write very well indeed, though I know she meant no insult heh. Like myself you have a toe in each pond, though the reader's one is somewhat deeper. All my love dearie and best wishes to the skinny portion xx
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: Thank you. It was me rather than Mistress Snark who said I wasn't a writer. I am nnt. But readers do pick up some of the tricks of the trade. I am glad you enjoyed the visit though. Love and good wishes are appreciated.
DeleteHi EC! I just discovered your blog through your tea with Mistress Snark and just wanted to say hello. I'm so sorry you are going through medical issues with your family and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you, I loved your tea conversation. :)
Julie Flanders: Welcome and thank you. When things calm down a little (please, soon) I will come and visit you. I had a wonderful afternoon tea with Mistress Snark and Jezebel.
Deleteevery set of "hiss and spit" should be followed by a pleasant tea! still cheering and hoping the roller coaster ride eases back soon!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and well wishes go out to you and your SP :)
ReplyDeleteMy gut wrenched reading your hospital tale.
I had to rush my previously "well" hubby to casualty a few years ago with what we were assured was "just kidney stones".
A day (and scans/tests) later showed he needed a radical nephrectomy. Quickly.
His right kidney was "grossly and dangerously enlarged".
Turns out it was advanced renal cell carcinoma. But, we were told they got the diseased kidney out "in time".
A slow recovery back to health and a complete change of lifestyle has kept him well for good - touch wood.
So, I hate what hospitals represent, but I am grateful they're there. I just wish the staff didn't seem so "disconnected" from who (I'm sure) they originally set out to be when they undertook medicine.
Thinking of you in this horrid waiting period and the following convalescence.
Vicki: My gut wrenched hearing your tale of woe. I am so glad that you got your husband to hospital in time. I only just got the smaller portion there after the event which started all this medical mayhem. Which I am over. So over.
DeleteThank you so much for your good wishes.